FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: We just added a kitten to our family and we are so excited! What does she need to have for shots?
A: We love to help families make sure that new additions to their family are healthy and kept safe from preventable diseases. Your new kitten's first nose to tail examination is most important! Please call us to schedule a new kitten exam within a few days of your kitten coming home. We will talk with you about which vaccines are appropriate for your kitten based on their lifestyle. We will also make sure we treat your kitten for any internal parasites (roundworms are very common in kittens and puppies and can be passed to people!) and external parasites like fleas and ticks. At your kitten's first exams, we will track your kitten's growth and we will answer any questions you have about feeding, training, and keeping your new family member safe.
Q: My dog has been limping for a few days. Can I try giving him some Advil to help with the pain?
A: Please do not give any medications to your pet without consulting with one of our doctors or triage technicians. Many drugs that are safe for humans like Advil, are toxic when given to pets. Your dog should be given a full exam by one of our doctors to determine where the pain is coming from (which muscles, joints, or bones) and what is causing it. Treatments and medications can vary significantly based on the diagnosis. We have some very effective and dog safe anti-inflammatory medications that can be prescribed which will act quickly to help alleviate your dog's pain. Please call us! Usually our appointment schedule can be adjusted so that your dog can be seen the same day you call.
Q: I pulled a tick off of my dog, and now there is a lump where the tick was. Is part of the tick stuck in my dog?
A: Ticks secrete a substance when they feed that helps them to “cement” themselves to the animal. This substance can irritate the skin and result in a swollen area where the tick was removed. The body of the tick is not stuck in your pet. This tick bite lump will generally go away on its own in 2-3 weeks. If you are concerned, one of our doctors can examine the area. If your pet has any lump that bothers your pet, is growing quickly, draining fluid, or is painful to the touch, we recommend that it be checked soon by one of our veterinarians. If you are finding ticks on your dog or cat, please call our hospital for advice on the best topical tick medications.
Q: Why are my pet's medications so expensive?
A: Prices of drugs and supplies are, to a great extent, set by the company that manufactures them. Many of the "new" drugs coming on the market are more expensive, compared to the medications we have used in the past. According to the drug companies, these drugs must pay for years of testing and development, and follow stringent new safety standards set by the FDA. The good news is, many of the newer drugs prove to be more effective and have longer dosage intervals (given less often), with fewer side effects than the older medications they have largely replaced.
In the case of a medication being too expensive to afford, we will consider alternatives, if they exist. Alternative drugs tend to be slightly "less optimal" and may require more doses per day or may need to be given as a pill instead of a chewable or liquid. Obviously, in the case of drug-sensitive animals, our ability to choose alternatives may be limited.
Please be aware that we keep what we feel are the best and most effective medications and nutritional supplements for your pet in stock at our hospital. There will always be "discount suppliers", but it is truly buyer beware - MOST companies will not guarantee their products if they have been purchased anywhere other than a veterinary hospital or licensed pharmacy. At DWAH, we ALWAYS back up our products. If a medication proves to not be appropriate for your pet, due to palatability or sensitivity, we will exchange for an alternate drug, if one exists, without question or delay.
